Autism, From Someone Who Is On The Spectrum

Very Random Thought About Autism (September 2019)

The autism label in our society is looked as less or different than "normal". Most people look at that label of what is missing and the gifts that come with it. Sadly, too many parents either do not accepting that label or turn it into the elephant in their children's life. I have gotten a reminder about this recently that it is still the elephant in my life. The problem with it being the elephant in someone's life, there is level a shame that comes with being less or different from the "norm". For the last couple of years, I have been having dealing the shame that others have turn that label into something bad without giving me the chance to show that I am more than that label. I have always say that the label is helpful to explain the struggles I deal with but is not all who I am. Those struggles are elephant in my life because I still deal with people, who think if we ignore those struggles, they do not exist. That is not how it works, those struggles are still there in my life. I also deal with people, who do not accepted my diagnosis because they think the "typical" autism traits instead of remembering it is spectrum. Over last couple days, I am aware that sometimes it is those who turn label into something bad actually do more harm to the person with the label.

"The shame many autistics have at the time of diagnosis is the shame we've carried with us for a lifetime after being bullied, criticized, ostracized and abused just for being different...and simply for seeing and experiencing the world in a unique and profound way. The absurdity that a label called "autism" could be seen as something so ugly and repugnant is absolutely absurd and needs to stop, now. Let autistics who finally have a reason for their way of being be allowed to stand tall, proud of who they are as they boldly proclaim their identity and join in communion with others like them. There should be no shame in an identification that creates freedom, peace, comfort and well-being, along with a wonderful kinship amongst a group of individuals who've always felt so alone, wrong for who they are."- Cynthia Zuber

Here the thing you can turn the label into something that does not cause shame because you accepted the person in a way that does not make them feel shame for being different than "norm". You wonder why I always say I thankful those on here all the time is it is because for the first time in my life in the last year that label does not carry the shame that everyone made me feel most of my life. It just is label to explain the way I view the world instead elephant in my life. So keep encourage me by proving to me that people do not just see the label but whole person.